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Custody

Name: Custody
Director: James Lapine
Released: 2016
Duration: 104 min

Representation Score

5.2/10

Fair

2016

TV-14

Director

James Lapine

Runtime

104 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Custody is a character-driven film that emphasizes psychological realism over broad demographic representation. It avoids simplistic moral binaries, focusing instead on the breakdown of traditional domestic stability. The film successfully challenges traditional gender roles but lacks diversity in other identity categories. Ultimately, it provides a narrow perspective on a specific socioeconomic and racial demographic.

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Category Breakdown

Does Custody have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film focuses on a typical heterosexual relationship, with no representation of LGBTQ+ identities or stories involving the queer spectrum.

How does Custody portray gender?

Fair

The story challenges traditional gender roles by showing parents who are morally complex and not always stable. Female characters interact enough to meet the Bechdel test.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Custody?

Limited

The casting is mostly white and upper-middle class, with no diversity in race or ethnicity.

How does Custody represent religion and culture?

Good

The film examines moral relativism and the subjective truths of each parent through a dysfunctional family dynamic.

Does Custody include disability representation?

Limited

Psychological issues are presented as part of a high-conflict divorce, but there is no inclusion of visible or invisible disabilities.

Present on Screen

Challenges traditional gender roles by presenting morally complex, unstable parents.
Female characters interact meaningfully, meeting the Bechdel test.
Avoids moral simplicity by exploring subjective truths in a high-conflict legal battle.

Limited or Absent

Lacks racial and ethnic diversity, focusing almost exclusively on a white demographic.
No representation or engagement with LGBTQ+ identities.
Does not include characters with visible or invisible disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When a hard-working single mother, Sara Diaz, has her children taken from her after she is suspected of injuring her son, Ally Fisher, a recent law school graduate, is assigned to represent her case before Judge Martha Schulman, a veteran of the Family Court System.

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